MOCO parents - how much are we willing to put up with??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teachers enter a profession to benefit humanity and in doing so AGREE to take a lower salary, knowing that at least pensions and healthcare were safe. Granted, there are no guarantees in life. However, you would THINK that our most valuable "possessions" (aka our children) would be our number one priority.

Your response is typical, PP. Although you claim to value what we do, you really don't. I hope your children are in college now b/c the system is going downhill quickly as we lose our best and brightest to other professions. I know; I've watched this year alone two move on into IT positions.

I can't understand how people can value the dollar sign over our future generation. By denying our youth a good education, you're basically killing your own social security - and property value.

Teachers are one of the most important to our society, in private or public schools. I would like to see a debate not about how much to reduce salaries and benefits for them, and rather discuss how parents and other community organizations can rally around teachers and help them teach our children even better. The discussion is likely to be more productive and less escapist if we support our teachers. Cutting cost by cutting salaries or number of teachers is an escapist's solution who does not want to work hard at meeting people and understanding the difficulties and challenges. Great schools and education happen because of the responsible and hard working parents and teachers who collaborate.

[Anonymous]

Your message is correct. Unfortunately this time around the budget mess is way more serious and there is no easy solution. As a parent, I am ready to support and advocate i

[Anonymous]

Continuing...

In favor or teachers, but we also need to be aware that other people are suffering as well (including kids in overcrowding classes)

[Anonymous]

life in the IT business can be dreadful

Salaries and benefits in IT business are not debated by taxpayers who think they know better.

[Anonymous]

I work in the IT business. Last year I had a small surgery and my 16 personal days (they lump vacations with sick days) were gone. I work 11 hours per day at a minimum and often have conference calls with India at 3 in the morning. The grass is always greener in the other side.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry you were ill. Just so you are aware, teachers have to pay 50 bucks to take a personal day to offset the cost of the substitute teacher. And, they certainly work the same amount of hours as you report herein. Not worried about the grasss being greener anywhere, just want equal respect for my profession as you get in IT.

[Anonymous]

In favor or teachers, but we also need to be aware that other people are suffering as well (including kids in overcrowding classes)

You are acting as if the government doesn't have a choice here. They are CHOOSING to cut the education budget. It is a well-thought out decision to put education, and by default, children (and mostly the poor ones who have to go to public school) last on their list of priorities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry you were ill. Just so you are aware, teachers have to pay 50 bucks to take a personal day to offset the cost of the substitute teacher. And, they certainly work the same amount of hours as you report herein. Not worried about the grasss being greener anywhere, just want equal respect for my profession as you get in IT.

This is where it gets tricky. I have seen many teachers adopt an attitude that they have it so hard -- that only makes people who also have it hard mad and less likely to support teachers.

There has to be a way to approach this from an angle that will legitimately garner support -- talking about teacher quality, attracting highly qualified people, retention and continuity, benefits to kids of smaller classes, etc. etc.

Complaining about retirement benefits to a bunch of people who just lost half the value of their 401ks is not going to get teachers anywhere, no matter how unjust it is that their collective bargaining rights are getting taken away by ideologues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry you were ill. Just so you are aware, teachers have to pay 50 bucks to take a personal day to offset the cost of the substitute teacher. And, they certainly work the same amount of hours as you report herein. Not worried about the grasss being greener anywhere, just want equal respect for my profession as you get in IT.

In what school system is this the norm?

Certainly not the case in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do YOU do? as your tone suggests entitlement as well



I work year 12 months a year and pay a lot of taxes. A lot.
And have a modern-era defined contribution plan.

Are you the topic police?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please post your schools so we don't by mistake buy a house in your cluster. TIA!

This has no connection to the topic whatsoever.








If you've followed string, yes. Would like to know where all these entitled teachers work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry you were ill. Just so you are aware, teachers have to pay 50 bucks to take a personal day to offset the cost of the substitute teacher. And, they certainly work the same amount of hours as you report herein. Not worried about the grasss being greener anywhere, just want equal respect for my profession as you get in IT.

This is where it gets tricky. I have seen many teachers adopt an attitude that they have it so hard -- that only makes people who also have it hard mad and less likely to support teachers.

There has to be a way to approach this from an angle that will legitimately garner support -- talking about teacher quality, attracting highly qualified people, retention and continuity, benefits to kids of smaller classes, etc. etc.

Complaining about retirement benefits to a bunch of people who just lost half the value of their 401ks is not going to get teachers anywhere, no matter how unjust it is that their collective bargaining rights are getting taken away by ideologues.

Very well said

[Anonymous]

Who cares how much you pay in taxes? as that simply means that you earn quite a bit, too

non sequitur, PP

Follow the through process of this thread. Don't add some random statements.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do YOU do? as your tone suggests entitlement as well



I work year 12 months a year and pay a lot of taxes. A lot.
And have a modern-era defined contribution plan.

Are you the topic police?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please post your schools so we don't by mistake buy a house in your cluster. TIA!

This has no connection to the topic whatsoever.








If you've followed string, yes. Would like to know where all these entitled teachers work.

[Anonymous]

Again, are you the topic police?

I am asking where all these entitled teachers work to be sure that I don't end up with a big house in their cluster. Seems like a straightforward question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry you were ill. Just so you are aware, teachers have to pay 50 bucks to take a personal day to offset the cost of the substitute teacher. And, they certainly work the same amount of hours as you report herein. Not worried about the grasss being greener anywhere, just want equal respect for my profession as you get in IT.

This is where it gets tricky. I have seen many teachers adopt an attitude that they have it so hard -- that only makes people who also have it hard mad and less likely to support teachers.

There has to be a way to approach this from an angle that will legitimately garner support -- talking about teacher quality, attracting highly qualified people, retention and continuity, benefits to kids of smaller classes, etc. etc.

Complaining about retirement benefits to a bunch of people who just lost half the value of their 401ks is not going to get teachers anywhere, no matter how unjust it is that their collective bargaining rights are getting taken away by ideologues.

Very well said

I don't know what MoCo teachers pay for their medical insurance and pension, but it's hard for me to feel bad if senior teachers are making $60 - 70K but don't pay into those things. I figure it costs us over $10,000 a year for our medical insurance and we put an additional $15,000 away for retirement. If teachers don't have those expenses, it makes a $65K salary into an effective $90K salary.

I think teachers are worth that and should be paid well, but it puts it into perspective and makes the complaints harder to take.

[Anonymous]

Health insurance of STATE employees in MD is awesome. I worked for a while at the University of Maryland as an assistant a few years back. There is not anything like it. Plans with ample coverage and no deductible. Very different than in the private sector. I am sorry, but the good times are over......